So, you're staring at your canvas, brush in hand, and that familiar feeling has sunk in: this painting just isn't working. Don't throw in the towel just yet!
Even seasoned artists experience moments of frustration at the easel, and that is TOTALLY NORMAL (once upon a time I had an art school friend who was known for splitting her canvases with a palette knife when the frustration got to be too much 😅)
The good news is, a "bad" painting isn't necessarily a lost cause. With a little understanding and the right approach, you can often transform a frustrating painting into a piece you're proud of. Let's dive in and learn how to rescue that painting.
This isn't about starting over; that's a last resort. What I've noticed with my students is that if they can't figure out how to fix their painting, they'll start over but repeat the EXACT same problems. This is why it's important to address the UNDERLYING issues that are making your painting feel "off." Working THROUGH the issue instead of avoiding it. I'm here to help you do that. We're not going to cover all the main underlying issues today, we'll just do two: checking your drawing and then refining the form.
Stage 1: The Foundation – Checking Your Drawing
A painting, no matter how beautifully rendered, will fail if the underlying drawing isn't sound. Think of it as building a house: a shaky foundation will lead to cracks in the walls, no matter how beautiful the paint job. Let's examine three key aspects of your drawing: placement, size, and proportions.
1. Checking Placement: The Dance of Shapes
Drawing is fundamentally about shapes. Before worrying about fine details, step back and assess the placement of your shapes on the canvas. Forget about color and detail for a moment; look at the overall composition. Are your key shapes—the largest and most important elements—sitting correctly in relation to the edges of your canvas and to each other?
Imagine a simple still life with a vase of vibrant flowers. Is the vase centered as you intended? Are the flowers arranged in a visually pleasing way, or are they randomly scattered? If your shapes feel awkwardly positioned, subtle adjustments can make a huge difference. Sometimes, a small shift of a single element can dramatically improve the entire composition, and bring the drawing back into alignment.
2. Checking Size: Getting the Scale Right
Next, let's examine the size of your shapes. Are they correctly scaled in relation to each other and to the canvas? If one element is disproportionately large or small, it will throw off the entire balance of the piece.
Let's return to the vase of flowers. Is the vase too big or too small compared to the flowers? Does it dominate the space too much, or does it look lost and insignificant? Use a paintbrush, a ruler, or your fingers to compare the relative sizes of your elements to your reference image or your initial sketch. Are your estimates accurate? Sometimes just a minor alteration of size, say, making a flower slightly smaller or the vase slightly taller, will dramatically improve the overall structure. Don’t be afraid to make those adjustments!
3. Checking Proportions: The Harmony of Relationships
Finally, let's look at proportions. Are the shapes in your painting accurately proportioned in relation to each other? A slightly off-kilter proportion—like a vase that's too wide for its height, or a flower that’s excessively elongated—will instantly create a sense of unease in the viewer's eye.
Consider using a simple trick here: Break down complex shapes into simpler geometrical forms. A vase might become an elongated oval, a flower, a circle, or teardrop. Comparing the ratios of these basic shapes can help you pinpoint any proportional discrepancies. Remember, a clear sense of proportion is crucial for creating a cohesive and believable image.
Stage 2: Refining the Form – Light, Shadow, and Edge
Once you've addressed the drawing, we move on to refining the form of your painting. This stage focuses on the interplay of light, shadow, and edge to create depth, volume, and a sense of realism.
1. Squint to Simplify: Seeing the Big Picture
Squinting your eyes slightly at both your reference photo and your painting is a helpful trick that artists use to simplify complex scenes. When you squint, your eye loses fine detail, focusing instead on the large masses of light and dark. This is crucial because the overall "read" of your painting—the successful transmission of the main shapes and their light/dark values—is more important than the small details at this stage.
Ask yourself: Do the major shapes of light and shadow in your painting match what you see when you squint at your reference? If not, adjust the values. This may involve lightening some areas, darkening others, or subtly shifting the boundaries between light and shadow.
2. Light and Shadow: Defining Volume
Light and shadow are fundamental to creating a sense of volume and three-dimensionality. A clear light source should illuminate one side of your subject, creating a clear light side and a shadow side. Examine your painting and your source: Is the light source clear and consistent? Is the shadow side adequately defined?
If your shapes appear flat and lifeless, it could be because the transition from light to shadow is too abrupt or too gradual. Experiment with different gradations of value to find the right look.
Note: if your light source is overcast outdoor lighting, you're going to see softer transitions between light and dark. If your light source is a lightbulb close to your subject, you're going to see more definite/harder edges between light and dark.
3. Edges: Finding the Right Balance
Finally, let's talk edges. The edges of your shapes play a crucial role in the overall mood and realism of your painting. Too many hard, crisp edges can create a jarring, unnatural look. Conversely, too many soft, indistinct edges will create a muddy, unfocused impression.
The key is to vary your edges STRATEGICALLY. Some areas may benefit from sharp, precise edges to emphasize detail or create contrast. Other areas may require soft edges to create a sense of atmospheric perspective or to blend elements together smoothly. Pay attention to this detail: Are your edges too hard, too soft, or just right? Adjust as needed.
Putting it all Together
Fixing a painting isn't a magical process, but rather a series of thoughtful adjustments while staying CALM in the process. By systematically checking your drawing and then evaluating your use of form, you can identify and rectify a couple of the big underlying issues that are making your painting feel “off.” Remember to be patient, observant, and persistent. With a little practice, you'll develop the skills to transform those frustrating moments into opportunities for creative growth. And who knows, your "bad" painting might just turn out to be your best one yet!
Want a handy SIMPLE checklist to keep track of these underlying issues? Download my FREE pdf "How to Fix a Bad Painting" checklist here. It'll help you get clarity on where exactly your painting is going wrong, so you can get back on the path to creating beautiful art quickly and with less stress. Get the checklist here.